By Jack Shanley
A fresh instalment in one of the most entertaining horror franchises out there, Evil Dead Rise hit our screens in mid-April and left a great impression for the most part. The much-anticipated film left an unsure impression on me, for it being an entertaining film I felt it lacked a little in direction. I did feel that the acting at times was a little poor, characters were boring along with the dialogue that could have been better. I felt it was dark and hard to see the film, I’ve noticed this with a lot of films that have been released over the last while a darkness when watching it as if the cinematographer decided to put a dark filter over the lenses. I felt early on that the movie took a while to really kick in, but once it did it was quite gruesome. The end of the film in particular left a good impression on me and feel now it could be the beginning of many more films in the engrossing Evil Dead series. Besides all the negativity I spout over the movie, I did feel entertained and would be interested in giving it another watch, for I found the cinematograph, art direction and costume design to be of an enormous quality.
I loved the references throughout the film to the original Evil Dead trilogy, got this sense of a love and passion that Dublin Born director Lee Cronin has not just for the horror genre but the Evil Dead franchise too. This excites me for future Evil Dead films as not only do we have one of our own at the helm of a massive horror franchise, but he has a passion and love for the Evil Dead movies and just the overall craft for movie making. In all truth I did leave the theatre disappointed that my favourite horror movie franchise could potentially be on the down swing of its existence, but it happens to the best of them, does it not? If it can happen to horror legends like Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers, Pinhead, and countless others, then the Evil Dead series is not immune, and Rise could potentially mark the beginning of the end for this amazing franchise.
In all truth I’d recommend checking out Evil Dead Rise at your local cinema today and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of three stars. Director: Lee Cronin– Rating: 18 – Genre: Horror/Fantasy – Run Time: 1h 36m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.
By Dave Kavanagh
Having appropriate cover in place for you and your family is obviously important, whether it is Life Cover, Serious Illness Cover or Income Protection. What is equally as important, is knowing the details of the cover that you have in place. As time moves on and circumstances change, what was relevant for you 5 years ago, may not now be appropriate for your needs. I remember giving a talk to a group of about 50 parents, all of whom raised their hands to signal that they all had cover in place. I then asked how many of them knew (without needing to divulge to the group) which Life Company their cover was with, how much was the monthly premium and what the levels of cover were? Of the 50 parents present, not one of them raised a hand, despite paying for these plans for a number of years. Simple changes in circumstances can make it crucial to review cover details. Starting new employment that may include a multiple of annual salary as a death in service benefit, as well as income protection and a pension, could mean that other cover in place could be reduced or removed. The reverse is often seen where someone had great benefits attached to their employment but then moved to a job that does not provide any benefits at all and had not considered that they need to arrange their own cover.
Another issue that people are often not aware of, is whether any cover they have has a Conversion Option. This is an option that allows people to convert to a new, longer term plan, without any further evidence of medical health. This can be crucial if a plan is reaching maturity or if someone has experienced adverse health issues, where they may not be accepted for cover due to their new medical history or may be subject to restrictions and/or premium loadings. Having the ability to exercise a Conversion Option allows you to “future proof” cover to suit your specific circumstances. While not a fun exercise, making some time at least once per year to review the details of any cover you have in place can be a valuable exercise. If you’re unsure about some of the details, contact your advisor.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.
by Siobhan O’Neill White
With the cost of living so high, many families won’t be going on holidays this year. If you are looking for ways to keep your children entertained at home this summer, it’s a good idea to invest in some decent outdoor toys. We bought a Berg Go Kart 10 years ago and it’s still one of the most played with toys we’ve ever had. JKC Toymaster is an Irish company who deliver nationwide and have a fantastic range of outdoor toys, including Berg Trampolines, Climbing Walls, Swings and of course, Go Karts! We love to buy Irish and when you contact JKC Toymaster, you get to speak to an actual person, who is knowledgeable and helpful! We are getting a trampoline and Michael talked us through the different types and advised which is best for us. Their fantastic customer service is much better than being connected to some random call centre thousands of miles away! See jkctoymaster.ie/ or contact 06731391 or info@jkctoymaster.ie / or jkctoymaster@gmail.com. Sunday 18th June is Father’s Day! We love giving personalised gifts and wanapix.ie/ has a great range to choose from. Their site is easy to use and has a wide range of gifts for Dads, Grandads and any Father Figures you want to celebrate. My kids personalised a t-shirt and water bottle for their Dad for Father’s Day. They are things he will use and also, fun because the kids got to personalise them with pictures and funny sayings. Wanapix has lots of other cool gift ideas, like mouse mats, beer tankards and personalised gift boxes. Whether you have €10 or €100 to spend, there is of course something on there for every budget and every type of Dad! Gardening is another great idea for keeping the kids busy this summer! It may sound crazy, but getting them involved in creating a vegetable patch or planting wild flowers to help the bees are projects kids love to get stuck into. Niall and the experienced team in Black’s Garden Centre are a mind of information when it comes to gardening projects, you can pop into them for a chat or you can check them out on facebook at facebook.com/BlacksGardenCentre/ or you can also contact blacksgardencentre.com/. They also do gift vouchers for Father’s day gifting! If you are looking to sign your child up for a summer camp, we really like Carlingford Adventure Summer Camps. There is so much to do, from kayaking to ziplines to laser combat! The children will never be bored there ! Do check them out and see carlingfordadventure.com.
A great occasion was held recently with the official opening of our refurbished local history museum at the Steward’s House, Malahide Castle. Over 100 members and friends of Malahide Historical Society turned out to see Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and local lad, Darragh O’Brien, T.D. unveil a plaque in the presence of the Mayor of Fingal Howard Mahoby and the CEO of Fingal County Council Anne-Marie Farrelly. In a speech, Malahide Historical Society President Paddy Ryan thanked the committee and Minister O’Brien and Councillor Eoghan O’Brien for their support for the project and the management and staff in Fingal County Council without whose unstinting support the project would never have got across the line. The museum is now open on weekend afternoons and will soon open from Tuesday through to Sunday and admission is free. Our Pictures show the event as well as the Steward’s House in the 1960s with members of the Raeburn and O’Neill families who lived there when the estate was still owned by Lord Milo Talbot.
By Jack Shanley
Exhilarating, jaw-dropping and hugely entertaining, ‘John Wick 4’ is simply a spectacle from start to finish. Above all, it’s a love letter to action film making and every action cinema lover’s greatest dream. I feel that it could potentially go down as one of the finest action films of our time. From the cinematography that is Oscar worthy, the neo-noir genre that has never looked so amazing on screen, the colour coordination framing blocking, you name it: it was all spectacular. How exactly does three hours of wham-bam noise and fast paced action, unmitigated by any meaningful plot, work as well as it does? Well, the action choreography had to be top class in which it utilitises 100 per cent of each set design used to incorporate drama, thrill and comedy. This movie pulls you in as you get lost in the coolness of Keanu Reeves and has everything you could ever ask for, from guns, knives, nun chucks, katanas, martial arts, cars, flamethrowers, bare hands etc.The stunt work is jaw-dropping and adrenaline inducing. I saw the film on opening night and with my excitement hitting a high I wasn’t let down. In the opening scene we are hit with a wonderful match cut influenced by the great Lawrence of Arabia of 1962 as Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) blows out a cigarette cutting to the sun rising over the Arabian desert. When watching all the John Wick films, I can’t help but see the influence of some of cinema’s greatest films and genres.Never has it been more evident than in the fourth instalment of the series. I couldn’t help but see through the film straight into its core as influences of the spaghetti western sprung bright alongside Japanese Kung Fu films of the ‘70s, the likes of which the great Bruce Lee would be proud of. With the price on Mr Wick’s head ever increasing, the legendary hitman takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.I really enjoyed this film and would recommend people give it a watch. I give it a score of FOUR stars. •You can watch ‘John Wick 4; at your local cinema today. Director: Chad Stahelski – Rating: 16 –Genre:Action/Neo-noir– Run Time: 2h 49m – Language: English. For more film content please
follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.
By Siobhan O’Neill White
The past few years have been tough on everyone but especially, children and teens. They have missed out on so much, from school trips, to discos, to spending time with their friends. Everything was topsy turvy and we are only now scratching the surface on how much their mental health has been affected. On 6th May the annual Darkness into Light walk will be taking place at locations across the country. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of mental health issues and to work to prevent suicide. This is a great opportunity to get involved in an event that champions talking about mental health and suicide prevention. Too many of us know people who have taken their own lives and the more we talk about mental health and use the mental health supports available, the better.
Discussing depression and dark thoughts can feel uncomfortable but the more we talk about it, the less taboo these topics become. We are doing the Darkness into Light walk with our children, to encourage them to ask questions and normalise talking about mental health. We try to instil the belief in our children that their mental health is just as important as their physical health. The example we use is that, if one of our children broke their leg, we would take them to the hospital to get it seen to. And if they are struggling emotionally, we will get them the support and help they need because looking after their mental health is just as important as treating physical injuries, like a broken leg. Most schools now have counsellors to support the children so if your child is struggling, don’t hesitate to let their school know so they can support them while in school. Getting counselling outside of school can take a while but your GP will be able to point you in the right direction. In the meantime, if you need help in how to support your child, you can call SOSAD, Aware or Jigsaw for help and advice. If you are unable to take part in Darkness into Light, you can donate. The Four Seasons Hotel in Carlingford are selling rubber ducks for €3.50 at reception with all proceeds go to SOSAD. If you are worried about your child, you can log onto mams.ie. This is a free online chat forum for Mams, to support each other.
By Dave Kavanagh
Of course, nobody wants to consider that something bad and impactful will happen to them, but most people realise that every week in Ireland there are unexpected fatalities, serious illnesses diagnosed or injuries/illnesses that prevent someone from working. One of the main impacts of any of these occurrences, is the financial loss that can be suffered either by the individual concerned or by any family members dependent on them. The amount of financial loss can vary greatly, and will depend on the event and also the person’s circumstances. The easiest one to consider is the impact of a fatality. Is there an immediate loss of income? Will there be an entitlement to pension benefits? Is there a dependent partner and/or children? If there are children what age are they and how long will they need to be provided for? What protection benefits are already in place? Is there a mortgage that is protected? Are there any death in service benefits with an employer? Giving consideration to these questions can identify what the potential loss would be and help calculate the appropriate levels and types of cover required. Where an accident or illness prevents someone from working, what is the impact? Does an employer pay them for a period of time? If so, for how long? Would some people be forced to use up their savings in order to make sure that bills are paid and supplies bought? The diagnosis of a serious illness can have a negative impact on finances. In some cases it may just result in a relatively short period off work, a stay in hospital and perhaps a supply of medications. But in others, it could result in never returning to work, needing a downstairs bedroom, a wheelchair accessible shower and a modified car. Having a tax-free lump sum paid out at these times can make a huge difference in someone’s finances. The important thing is for people to consider their own, specific circumstances and the financial impact it would have on them and their family. This will allow them to plan more accurately, but in order to consider these details, you have to make the time to analyse them.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or for information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing Dave directly on info@financialcompanion.ie or you can use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.
By Dave Kavanagh
When applying for mortgage approval, there are several factors that the lenders take into account when considering your application. The three main ones are, Multiples of Salary, Net Disposable Income and Proven Ability to Repay. Until recently, the standard guideline for the maximum borrowing permitted, was 3.5 x gross annual income. Since the start of this year, this was increased to 4 x income for first time buyers. However, with interest rates on the increase, at least one lender has already adjusted other criteria for applicants seeking to apply for the increased multiple. One of the factors adjusted, is the second one, Net Disposable Income. This refers to how much applicants will have left over after paying their mortgage each month, to cover all of the other essentials. This differs from lender to lender, but also depends on the family dynamic. For example, a couple or individual with no children will not be expected to need as much as those with perhaps, 3 children, due to the increased cost of living for those children. The last of the main criteria examined is Proven Ability to Repay. For example, if the proposed mortgage repayment is €1,500 per month, the lender will usually “stress test” this repayment by calculating what the figure would be if rates increased by 2% (often not done if people opt for a fixed rate). So they may be looking for evidence that a figure of €1750 is affordable. This could be illustrated by regular savings, rent, or loan repayments on a loan about to be cleared, or a combination of all. Advance planning can give you a much higher probability of getting approval by considering these factors. Obviously, there are many other factors to consider, such as how you conduct your current accounts and how much you have saved. For first time buyers, at least 10% of the purchase price is required, while for non first time buyers, at least 20% deposit is required. One often overlooked consideration, is to make sure that you qualify for mortgage protection, so this is something to look at in the early stage to make sure it would not be an obstacle to finalising an application.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or for information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing Dave directly on info@financialcompanion.ie or you can use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.
By Jack Shanley
Benoit Blanc, the celebrity detective with the Poirot-esque French name and the inexplicable Southern accent, is becoming truly lovable as one begins to accept him as he is.Yes, the second instalment of the thrilling Knives Out series hit Netflix over the last few months and it was quite a fun watch. ‘Glass Onion’ director Rian Johnson proves yet again to be an important film maker in modern cinema as he peels back the years to audiences with this thrilling mind-boggling puzzle that shifts and shapes up to be more ambitious and arguably more entertaining than the previous Knives Out film. You’re not really sure where this murder mystery is taking you, and just when you start to have an idea of where it’s going, it throws you off track, sending you in a completely different direction. This is a unique and effective way of storytelling that we don’t see enough of these days, especially in this genre.With the Knives Out films being extremely well written, there is a bit of everything in them for everyone, to a thrilling detective story that unfolds gradually over time, to the fantastic characters and even on to the comedy between the lines. You’re sure to be entertained. ‘Glass Onion’ is fast-paced with a brilliant soundtrack, several storylines and a lot of wonderfully interesting characters. It’s amazing to see all of them intertwine for one amazing finale. The Knives Out films have this classic film noir essence about them that I can’t help but love. As they are part of modern cinema, they don’t hide away from the classic detective films of the ‘40s and ‘50s. They seem to have this longevity to them. I feel they’re entertaining films now and will only get better in time. They’ll be among the films that will be watched again in years to come, as there is so much
depth to the material.I really enjoyed ‘Glass Onion’ and would recommend people give it a watch. I give it a score of 3 and a ½ stars. •You can watch ‘Glass Onion’ on Netflix. Director: Rian Johnson – Rating: 12A – Genre: Mystery/Crime – Run Time: 2h 19m – Language: English. For more
film content please follow @movies4fanatics.
By Siobhan O’Neill White
Early April can be cold so we’re planning an indoor Easter egg hunt! Here are some ideas for places to hides eggs for your little ones. Are you ready, get set, so lets go….1. When you sit there its comfy but with an egg behind, its bumpy! (Cushions on sofa) 2. Close them to keep out the light….peek behind for chocolate delight (behind curtains) 3. Look in-between the books….for treats in crannies & nooks (bookshelf) 4. Use these to dry dishes… inside are chocolate wishes (tea towel drawer) 5. What we use to cook a stew….look inside for chocolate too (pot for cooking stew) 6. This box is usually full of fun….but today inside, things are yum (toy box) 7. Under your pillow where you sleep…..look for an extra special treat! (bed) 8. Flowers are colourful, pretty, and sweet - inside the vase is something to eat (in dry flower arrangement). I hope this helps make your egg hunts super-fun. ALDI and LIDL have reasonably priced egg-hunt kits, so Easter doesn’t have to cost a fortune! With Communion season upon us, here are some ideas to make your child’s day special, without spending a fortune. Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre has a fabulous range of Communion dresses and accessories for girls and smart suits and clothing for boys. For Confirmation girls, Quiz have gorgeous clothing, starting at UK size 4; so ideal for tweens and teens. Another great store for tweens/teens is Catch and they have lovely clothing for younger siblings too. For Mammies, Quiz has beautiful dresses. For curvy ladies, Yours Clothing is wonderful. We love to support local, Irish companies. For the guys, Bestwear Shop St. Drogheda has matching suits for Dads & Sons. Give them promo code Mams.ieBest23 to get 10% off! Suits. For Communion and Confirmation girls, Azure jewellery has delicate pieces in pearl and silver. For the Mammies, Belleek has a beautiful range of colourful handbags, perfect to accessorise outfits. A personalised Pinata from Pinatas Pinatas is a nice addition for Communions and the kids love bashing it to get the sweets out. Worried about the cost? We have a family tradition where Grannies and Aunties each buy an item for the Communion/Confirmation child. It’s extra special for the child and, takes pressure off the parents to buy everything. Check out mame.ie for more of our wonderful exciting Communion and Confirmation recommendations and competitions. So why not contact us soon in any of these ways : email:siobhan@mumstown.ie ,web:www.mams.ie - Shortlisted for Golden Spider Award & Infant & Maternity Award As seen on RTE and Virgin Media Ireland & Weekend AM As heard on Today FM’s Ian Dempsey & Dermot & Dave; RTE’s Ray D’Arcy Show, 98FM, LMFM Late Lunch, WLRFM & Shannonside FM
